Africa-Press – Botswana. Following years of operational setbacks, financial strain and declining service delivery, Botswana Railways(BR) is embarking on an ambitious turnaround to reclaim its former standing and restore public trust.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, the Botswana Railways Board reaffirmed its pledge to transparency, accountability and a new strategic direction for the institution.
Delivering keynote remarks on behalf of the Board, Chairperson Ms Wincey Ramaphoi said sustainable recovery would start with financial, operational and structural stabilisation.
She disclosed that Botswana Railways is operating in a constrained fiscal environment, but corrective measures are in motion.
These include stricter cost controls, revenue optimisation, targeted restructuring of key operational units, and the pursuit of private–sector partnerships. She noted that chronic maintenance backlogs have also compromised the state of rolling stock.
“Maintenance and procurement of rolling stock form part of our BR turnaround programme,” Ms Ramaphoi said, adding that asset assessments and prioritisation were underway, anchored on profitability and operational reliability.
Governance reform comes next, she said, with renewed focus on compliance, enhanced internal controls and the elimination of inefficiencies that eroded confidence in the institution. “These interventions will help us restore institutional integrity,” she stated.
The third pillar of the renewal drive, Ms Ramaphoi said, would be the development of a long-term transformative strategy positioning Botswana Railways as a key engine of national development and commercial growth.
“That strategy will position us as a viable driver of national development and commercial value,”she emphasised.
Ms Ramaphoi conceded that the journey ahead would be complex, but said Botswana’s unique logistics needs as a landlocked country bring the vision into sharper focus and within reach, particularly under unified leadership.
Leadership instability has hampered progress in previous years, she acknowledged, pointing to long-running difficulties in recruiting and retaining a general manager due to governance and operational weaknesses.
However, following strategic support from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Botswana Railways has appointed Mr Dominic Ntwaagae as General Manager.
“In him, we have not only a competent leader”, she said emphasising the board the Board’s confidence in his capability.
but one we fully believe can drive this renewal with decisiveness and credibility,” the Chairperson said, expressing the Board’s confidence in his stewardship.
Reaffirming the organisation’s mandate, Ms Ramaphoi said the Board and management would pursue decisions that serve national interest, not convenience.
“We will prioritise what strengthens Botswana, not what is easiest,” she said, underscoring Botswana Railways’ critical role in freight competitiveness, regional logistics, and cross-border trade facilitation.
As the institution rebuilds, the Board said its renewed focus is to reignite economic contribution, rebuild reputational capital and deliver a rail system aligned to national growth priorities.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
